(Florence, Ky.) - Churchill Downs in Louisville hosts the 139th Kentucky Derby Saturday, but Turfway Park in Florence will have its own Derby party.
Turfway’s “Rock the Derby” event is the track’s second busiest day of the year behind only the Spiral Stakes.
There will be events and wagering on Churchill Downs races including the Derby throughout the day, live music, hat contests, and more. The fun begins at noon and continues until 8:30 p.m. There is free admission and parking.
Turfway Park officials had been pulling for Black Onyx to win the so-called “run for the roses,” however, it was announced Friday that the 2013 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes winner was pulled from the race.
Trainers say Black Onyx has a non-displaced chip in his ankle. He had drawn the favorable rail position out of the starting gate for the biggest horse race of the year.